This classic homemade Turtles Candy combines toasted pecans, gooey caramel, melted chocolate, and a touch of sea salt. It’s a surprisingly simple recipe that is perfect for Christmas presents, holiday parties, and enjoying at home with family.
And if you love homemade candy, be sure to try our Peppermint Patties, Homemade Fudge, and Peanut Butter Cups.
Homemade Pecan Turtles Candy
You won’t believe how easy it is to make the classic pecans, caramel, and chocolate turtles candy right at home. Our recipe requires no candy thermometers, just a few ingredients, and it tastes just like it came from a fancy chocolate shop.
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While you can use homemade caramel if you want (which would require a candy thermometer), we’ll show you how to make chocolate turtles using caramel candies. Just arrange your pecans on a baking sheet, place an unwrapped caramel candy on top, and let it melt in a low oven for a few minutes while you melt your chocolate. Easy peasy, totally delicious, and perfect for gifting to friends and family during the holidays.
Ingredients You Will Need
- Pecan Halves – this is a case where you’ll want to use whole pecan halves rather than pieces. There’s no need to toast them ahead of time if you are melting the caramels in the oven. For a nut-free version, you could substitute pretzel twists.
- Caramel Candies – using caramel candies is an easy shortcut. I like to melt them on top of the pecans in the oven, but you could melt the caramels on the stovetop first and spoon the caramel on. You could also use homemade caramel if you want, especially if you are already making some for another dessert.
- Chocolate Chips – for the best flavor, use a high quality chocolate such as Guittard. If you want to use a chocolate bar instead, just chop the chocolate before melting. Melting chocolate wafers will work, but the flavor isn’t quite as good. Milk chocolate would make a delicious substitute for dark chocolate.
- Coconut Oil – this helps keep the chocolate slightly soft once it sets, making it perfect for coating candies.
- Salt – sea salt works great. You only need a few small pieces of salt for a ton of flavor.
How to Make Homemade Turtles Candy
- Arrange the pecans and caramels on a baking sheet. Cover a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Take 3 pecan halves and form them into a Y shape with the flat side down on the baking sheet. Place one unwrapped caramel candy in the center of the pecans. Repeat with the rest of caramel candies and pecans.
- Bake to melt the caramel. Bake in the preheated oven until the caramel candy is just melted, about 6-8 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.
- Melt the chocolate. While the caramel pecans are cooling, melt the chocolate. Place chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 30 seconds, stir, and repeat until the chocolate is melted and smooth but not too hot.
- Add melted chocolate to the turtles. Once the caramel pecans have cooled, spoon about ½-1 tablespoon of melted chocolate over each candy, spreading it slightly with the back of the spoon. Add a pinch of sea salt and refrigerate until the chocolate is set, or about 30 minutes.
- Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Nope! In fact, they taste best at room temperature because the chocolate and caramel won’t be too hard. As long as they are stored in a cool, dark place at room temperature they will stay fresh for up to 1 week.
Yes! These candies freeze beautifully, making it a great make-ahead candy for the holidays. Store them in an airtight container in single layers with parchment between for up to 2 months. You’ll want to let them thaw for at least 30 minutes before attempting to eat them.
If you want to keep the oven off, you can carefully toast the pecans in a skillet over medium heat first. Then, add your unwrapped caramels to a small saucepan and melt over medium low heat, stirring frequently. Arrange the pecans as directed and spoon about ½ tablespoon of melted caramel over each Y shape. Let it set before adding the melted chocolate.
Storing
- Room Temperature: store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. It’s best to store in single layers with parchment paper between so that they don’t stick to each other.
- Refrigerator: store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- Freezer: Turtles Candy can be frozen for up to 2 months. It’s best to let them thaw for at least 30 minutes before eating.
Turtle Candy Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 ounces pecan halves
- 24 individual Kraft caramels, unwrapped
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
- Cover a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Take 3 pecan halves and form them into a Y shape with the flat side down on the baking sheet. Place one unwrapped caramel candy in the center of the pecans. Repeat with the rest of caramel candies and pecans.
- Bake in the preheated oven until the caramel candy is just melted, about 6-8 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.
- While the caramel pecans are cooling, place the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 30 seconds, stir, and repeat until the chocolate is melted and smooth but not too hot.
- Once the caramel pecans have cooled, spoon about ½-1 tablespoon of melted chocolate over each candy, spreading it slightly with the back of the spoon. Add a pinch of sea salt and refrigerate until the chocolate is set, or about 30 minutes. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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More of the Best Homemade Candy Recipes
- Homemade Caramel Candy
- Peppermint Bark
- Saltine Cracker Toffee
- Peanut Butter Balls
- Peppermint Pretzels
- Homemade Caramel Popcorn
- Jello Divinity
- Peanut Butter Popcorn
- Chocolate Covered Caramels
- Homemade Chocolate Fudge
- Pretzel Toffee
- More Christmas Candy Recipes
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These homemade Chocolate Turtles Candies are made from pecans, caramel, and chocolate just like the originals. They’re perfect for gifting to family and friends or enjoying at home.
